Four matches into the ODI series, the focus has shifted to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s batting form especially in the context of India’s batting collapse in the fourth match in Mount Maunganui.
The final match of the series at the Bay Oval on Sunday will be an opportunity for India to consign New Zealand to their first series defeat at home in seven years. The visitors enjoy a 2-1 lead with the third match having been washed out.
The one comforting factor for India will be that Matt Henry, who triggered the
collapse on Friday with
three wickets in the first over, and Kyle Jamieson will be unavailable having joined their Test camp.
Gautam Gambhir has already made it clear that India’s latest batting collapse is not something the team can simply move on from.
There has been only one half-century for the visitors in the ODIs, Kohli’s 74 in the opener in Auckland.
Rohit though has struggled with scores of 0, 23, and 0 in the series. He has the experience and the desire to excel but the lateral movement has troubled him this series.
His intensity to attack in the Powerplay hasn’t really paid off. He began well in Wellington with two pulled sixes but paid the price for a premeditated shot. While
certain ploys could have worked in the subcontinent, the wickets in New Zealand certainly call for patience and control over aerial shots in these conditions.
With the wickets in New Zealand expected to be similar to the ones in South Africa, Rohit will have to work extra hours to sort out such shortcomings. There will be pressure on both Rohit and Kohli to deliver though India have very little time to find suitable replacements for the positions ahead of the World Cup.
This will be the last match in New Zealand for both Rohit and Kohli and it wouldn’t be unfair to hope that they will put in the extra effort to make their farewell from these shores memorable.
India will be without Gurnoor Brar, who has joined the Test preparations, and Mohammed Siraj could
come in his place. They could also look at a pace option in Yash Thakur to replace Kuldeep Yadav.
Thanks to injuries and some Test players leaving for their respective camps, 32 players have already played in this series. New Zealand have used as many as 18 while India have played 14.